Active and Passive Vocabulary

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Both. I've never been to either place. The closest I've come to Brazil is Aruba. The closest I've come to Moscow is the Ukraine.

So you've been to the Ukraine. How did you like it?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

So you've been to the Ukraine. How did you like it?

I loved it for the most part. The people were wonderful and the food was great. I went to both Odessa and Yalta and found them to be an interesting contrast. Odessa seemed to be much more Ukranian and Yalta seemed to be much more Russian. We were followed by a couple of guys in suits during our stay in Yalta. After a while, we started waving at them. I went to a Russian opera in Yalta. No offense, but I prefer the Italian form.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I loved it for the most part. The people were wonderful and the food was great. I went to both Odessa and Yalta and found them to be an interesting contrast. Odessa seemed to be much more Ukranian and Yalta seemed to be much more Russian. We were followed by a couple of guys in suits during our stay in Yalta. After a while, we started waving at them. I went to a Russian opera in Yalta. No offense, but I prefer the Italian form.

It's nice to hear you liked the Ukraine. I liked it,too. My brother's familly lives in the Crimea, in Sevastopol and I sometimes visit them. How about visiting Moscow, the capital of Russia? Or you'll visit Rome?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

It's nice to hear you liked the Ukraine. I liked it,too. My brother's familly lives in the Crimea, in Sevastopol and I sometimes visit them. How about visiting Moscow, the capital of Russia? Or you'll visit Rome?

I've been to Rome, and I loved it. I would love to see Moscow and Saint Petersburg one day. So many cities, so little time.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I've been to Rome, and I loved it. I would love to see Moscow and Saint Petersburg one day. So many cities, so little time.

Saint Petersburg is a paradise. I was there in summer. It was just the time when there were the white nights. I enjoyed myself greatly. By the way, such discussions can help extend one's vocabulary.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

Saint Petersburg is a paradise. I was there in summer. It was just the time when there were the white nights. I enjoyed myself greatly. By the way, such discussions can help extend one's vocabulary.

Yes, I think I'll pass on Saint P in the winter.

My vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. I am absolutely euphoric!

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Yes, I think I'll pass on Saint P in the winter.

My vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. I am absolutely euphoric!

I often read a dictionary. It helps me much in widening my vocabulary, though I mainly read to check the pronunciation of words. I do it because during the day my students mispronounce some words and I correct them and after correcting I begin to mispronouce.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Yes, I think I'll pass on Saint P in the winter.

My vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. I am absolutely euphoric!

I often read a dictionary. It helps me much in widening my vocabulary, though I mainly read to check the pronunciation of words. I do it because during the day my students mispronounce some words and I correct them and after correcting I begin to mispronouce.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Harry Smith

I often read a dictionary. It helps me much in widening my vocabulary, though I mainly read to check the pronunciation of words. I do it because during the day my students mispronounce some words and I correct them and after correcting I begin to mispronouce.

Dictionaries are very useful. I always look up words I don't recognize. I often look up words that I know, but can't articulate a definition for. I also like to check the etymologies of words -- mostly to see how they interconnect with similar words.

[Harry Smith]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Dictionaries are very useful. I always look up words I don't recognize. I often look up words that I know, but can't articulate a definition for. I also like to check the etymologies of words -- mostly to see how they interconnect with similar words.

Sometimes it's so difficult to choose the right word for my students. I think it's the lack of the practice. My problem is that I use correct words and very often can't explain why I use them. Where can I find the answer how to choose the right words besides dictionaries?